Meeting Minutes
City Council September 1, 2026
CITY OF MURRIETA Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Council Chambers 4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
1 Town Square CLOSED SESSION FOLLOWING
Murrieta, CA 92562 REGULAR MEETING
The City of Murrieta intends to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons with special needs should call the City Clerk Department at (951) 461-6031 or email at [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the public counter at City Hall located at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA during normal business hours.
Under the Levine Act, Section 84308 of the Government Code, a party to a proceeding before the City involving a contract (other than competitively bid, labor, or personal employment contracts), franchise, license, permit, or other entitlement for use, is required to disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution in an amount of more than five hundred dollars ($500) made within the preceding 12 months by the party or the party’s agent to any elected or appointed officer of the City. If you have made a qualifying contribution, please ensure to make this disclosure on the record.
Jon Levell
Mayor
Ron Holliday Lisa DeForest Mayor Pro Tem Council Member
Lori Stone Cindy Warren Council Member Council Member
Justin Clifton, City Manager
Tiffany Israel, City Attorney
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
MURRIETA CITY COUNCIL (CC)
MURRIETA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT (CSD)
MURRIETA FIRE DISTRICT (FD)
MURRIETA LIBRARY BOARD (LB)
MURRIETA REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY (RSA)
MURRIETA HOUSING AUTHORITY (HA)
MURRIETA FINANCING AUTHORITY (FA)
Members of the public who wish to provide written comments on matters before the City Council may submit written comments to [email protected]. Written comments received by 4:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the meeting will be provided to the City Council as part of the meeting record and posted on the City's website. Written comments will not be read into the record; distribution only.
Any presentation requiring the use of the City of Murrieta’s equipment must be submitted to the City Clerk’s department 72 hours prior to the scheduled City Council meeting at City Hall located at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA; via email at [email protected] or call (951) 461 -6031. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the public counter at City Hall located at 1 Town Square, Murrieta, CA during normal business hours.
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City Council September 1, 2026
Viewing the City Council Meeting
The City of Murrieta provides opportunities for the public to view City Council meetings without attending in person.
You may view the meeting streamed via the City's website at https://murrieta.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Meetings are broadcast live on Frontier Communications Channel 33 as well as Spectrum Channel 29 or Channel 3.
As a courtesy, the City also provides a livestream of the meeting on the City of Murrieta’s social media pages:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofMurrieta
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofMurrietaYouTube pages.
Microsoft Teams Two Way Audio For Online Meeting Participation In addition to viewing City Council meetings through the City's live and on demand streaming service, members of the public may provide live public comments during City Council meetings via Microsoft Teams. A telephone dial in option will also be available.
How to Connect to the Microsoft Teams Two Way Audio Conference by Computer or Smart Device
You will be required to register and verify with your email address. Upon registration, please enter your name so that the City Clerk may identify you when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to provide public comment, please use the "Raise Hand" feature during the applicable public comment period.
To join the meeting: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 274 636 447 383 469
Passcode: eC9EQ7Bc
How to Connect to the Microsoft Teams Two Way Audio Conference by Telephone Participants joining by telephone will be identified by the last four digits of their telephone number. If you wish to provide public comment, please use the “Raise Hand” feature during the applicable public comment period by pressing *5. Kindly state your name for the record.
To Join the meeting dial: +1 213-436-3057,,594515408#
Phone Conference ID: 594 515 408#
4:00 PM REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 4:00 p.m.
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City Council September 1, 2026
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lisa DeForest
Council Member Lori Stone
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member DeForest
INVOCATION Pastor Cameron Seely with Calvary Murrieta Church
PRESENTATIONS
Library Updates
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member DeForest, to approve the Agenda for September 1, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
CITY MANAGER - ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE/BOARD (CCB)
REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Warren: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC)
• Riverside Transit Agency (RTA)
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Council Member DeForest: Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Council Member Stone: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Western Riverside Council of Governments
(WRCOG)
• Southwest Riverside County Elected Leaders
Collaborative
• Ballot Measure Ad Hoc Subcommittee
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
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City Council September 1, 2026
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: Provided attendance/reported the following:
• Ballot Measure Ad Hoc Subcommittee
• Santa Stops
Provided Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
Mayor Levell: Provided verbal Announcements to be made part of the City’s record.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA)
Moises Covarrubias
(Murrieta):
Spoke on government weaponization and government
representatives.
Jennifer Evans
(Special Olympics of
Southern California):
Spoke on the Special Olympics and local Murrieta participant, Kristen. Call for action for volunteers to assist with the Special Olympics.
James Johnson
(Murrieta):
Spoke on Flock cameras in the City.
Romy Facili (Oak
Grove):
Spoke on Oak Grove’s ownership of the “Day in Her Shoes” event and their role.
Kassen Klein
(Murrieta):
Spoke on City Council audio levels during City Council
meetings.
CONSENT CALENDAR - APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1 – 5
Action: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member DeForest, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-5 with Council Member DeForest recusing herself from Item No. 5 due to owning property within 1,000 feet of the project.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
Recusal: DeForest (Item No. 5 only)
1. Waive Reading of All Ordinance Adoptions on the Agenda and Read by Title Only Recommended Action:
Waive reading, by title only, of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Said Ordinances and Resolutions which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
2. Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the minutes of the August 18, 2026, Regular City Council meeting.
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City Council September 1, 2026
3. Notice of Completion - City Hall and Murrieta Police Department Parking Lot Resurfacing Project, MSD Project No. 26-004
Recommended Action:
Accept the improvements for the City Hall and PD Parking Lot Resurfacing Project, MSD Project No. 26-004, as complete;
Authorize the City Clerk to record a Notice of Completion; and
Direct the Municipal Services Department to release bonds in accordance with State law and City ordinances.
4. Award Construction Contract for the Fire Station 2 Restrooms and Showers Remodel, Phase 2, CIP No. 21038, MSD Project No. 26-006
Recommended Action:
Amend the Capital Improvement Plan Budget for Fiscal Year 2026/27 and appropriate $215,000, from the General Fund Capital Unassigned Fund Balance into CIP No. 21038;
Find the Fire Station 2 Restrooms and Showers Remodel, Phase 2, CIP No. 21038, MSD Project No. 26-006, to be exempt from CEQA and award the construction contract to Camp Constructors, Inc., in the amount of $166,700;
Authorize a 15% construction contingency of $25,005;
Authorize the Director of Municipal Services or designee to approve contract change orders not to exceed 15% of the contract amount; and
Authorize the Mayor to execute the construction contract.
5. Construction Contract for the Jefferson Avenue and Clinton Keith Road Pavement Rehabilitation Project, CIP 13072
Recommended Action:
Amend the Capital Improvement Plan Budget for Fiscal Year 2026/27 and establish an appropriation of $3,400,000 using Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act Fund Unassigned Fund Balance into CIP No. 13072;
Award the construction Contract for the Jefferson Avenue and Clinton Keith Road Pavement Rehabilitation Project, CIP No. 13072, to R.J. Noble Company in the amount of $5,067,921.44;
Authorize a 15% construction contingency of $760,188.22; and
Authorize the City Engineer to approve contract change orders not to exceed 15% of the contract amount.
*** Council Member DeForest recused herself from Item No. 5 due to owning property within 1,000 feet of the project. ***
PULLED CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS None
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City Council September 1, 2026
DISCUSSION
6. Introduction of Ordinance No. 637-26 Amending Chapter 10.55 (Bicycles, E-Bikes, and E-Scooters) of the Murrieta Municipal Code
Police Chief Henry provided the staff report and PowerPoint presentation.
Public Comments:
Kassen Klein: Spoke on a prior communication sent to the Police Department and City Council regarding E-bike policy and incidents.
Action: After discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Holliday, seconded by Council Member DeForest, to conduct the first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 637 26: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Amending Murrieta Municipal Code Chapter 10.55, “Bicycles, E Bikes, and E Scooters” to Update Regulations Governing The Operation, Speed, and Use of Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, and E-Conveyances.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Warren, DeForest, Stone, Holliday, Levell
Noes: None
Absent: None
RECONSIDERATION None
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO ADD ITEMS TO FUTURE AGENDAS
Council Member Warren: None.
Council Member DeForest: None.
Council Member Stone: Requested a discussion on land use designation for e-bikes.
Consensus was received.
Mayor Pro Tem Holliday: None.
Mayor Levell: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (NON-AGENDA, AGENDIZED, CLOSED SESSION) None
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Clerk Cristal McDonald announced the following Closed Session items:
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City Council September 1, 2026
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Conference with Labor Negotiators
The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Attorney, and the City’s Negotiators, regarding labor negotiations with the Murrieta Supervisors’ Association, and the unrepresented Management, Professional, and Confidential employees.
CS2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), because there is significant exposure to litigation for two cases.
CS3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation The City Council will conduct a closed session with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Director, and City Attorney, pursuant to Government Code section 54956.95(b), to consider the following case:
Marcella Corina Wheatley v. City of Murrieta (Case No. CVME2505271 Riverside County Superior Court).
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 6:35 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER 7:36 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION
City Attorney Israel confirmed the City Council’s attendance during Closed Session as follows:
Present: Council Member Cindy Warren
Council Member Lisa DeForest
Council Member Lori Stone
Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday
Mayor Jon Levell
Absent: None
City Attorney Tiffany Israel reported the following:
Closed Session Action:
CS1.: No reportable action.
CS2.: No reportable action.
CS3. No reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT 7:37 p.m.
______________________________
Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
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